CFAs: CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is a competitive global funding opportunity designed to train the next generation of scientists working at the interface of immunology, cancer biology, and computational science. The program supports interdisciplinary postdoctoral research that advances understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer using data-driven and computational approaches.

Program Purpose and Vision

The fellowship aims to build dual expertise in immunology and data science by supporting advanced postdoctoral training. It is specifically designed to:

• Train computational scientists in cancer immunology

• Enable cancer immunologists to gain expertise in computational biology, genomics, and data science

• Support researchers from diverse PhD backgrounds pursuing interdisciplinary cancer immunology research

The overarching goal is to align computational methodologies with biologically and clinically relevant immunological questions in cancer.

Fellowship Structure and Financial Support

The fellowship provides three years of structured support.

Stipend

• Year 1: USD 74,000

• Year 2: USD 76,000

• Year 3: USD 78,000

Institutional Allowance

• USD 5,000 per year paid to the host institution

• May be used for research supplies, conference travel, health insurance, childcare, or related expenses

• No administrative or indirect cost deductions are permitted

Additional Training Support

• Dedicated funding for attendance at the CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp

• Emphasis on skill-building in computational analysis and immunological data interpretation

Research Scope and Scientific Focus

Eligible research projects must be hypothesis-driven and fall within basic or translational cancer immunology.

Projects should:

• Advance understanding of immune mechanisms in cancer

• Address critical knowledge gaps in cancer immunology

• Use innovative computational, genomic, or data science methods

• Leverage high-throughput “omic” technologies and advanced data analysis

Clear articulation of the immunological question and the computational strategy is essential.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a doctoral degree by the time the fellowship is activated

• Conduct research under the supervision of a qualified sponsor with a formal academic appointment

• Work in a field directly related to immunology or cancer immunology

Experience and Training Limits

• Eligibility is subject to limits on prior mentored postdoctoral research experience

• Limits also apply to time spent in the sponsor’s laboratory prior to application

• Flexibility may be granted for exceptional cases and for M.D. applicants

Host Institution and Geographic Eligibility

• Fellowships may be conducted at nonprofit institutions

• Host institutions may be located within or outside the United States

• There are no citizenship restrictions

• Limits apply to the number of fellows supported by a single sponsor

Why This Fellowship Matters

Cancer immunology is increasingly driven by complex datasets and computational discovery. This fellowship:

• Bridges the gap between immunology and data science

• Supports innovative, high-risk, high-impact research

• Prepares fellows for leadership roles in computational immuno-oncology

• Strengthens the global pipeline of interdisciplinary cancer researchers

Application Cycles and Timeline

• Applications are accepted twice per year

• Funding decisions are communicated within a defined review period

• Awards must be activated within a specified timeframe following the application deadline

Applicants should plan degree completion and start dates accordingly.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step

1. Identify a qualified sponsor with relevant immunology or computational expertise

2. Define a hypothesis-driven research project at the intersection of cancer immunology and data science

3. Prepare a detailed training plan outlining interdisciplinary skill development

4. Compile all required application materials following CRI formatting guidelines

5. Submit the complete application by the applicable deadline

Required Application Materials

Applications must include:

• Detailed description of the applicant’s scientific background

• Training objectives and career development plan

• Comprehensive research proposal

• Description of the mentorship and training environment

• Letters of support from the sponsor

• Letters of recommendation

All materials must follow CRI’s strict formatting, content, and submission requirements.

Evaluation and Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed based on:

• Scientific merit and innovation of the proposed research

• Relevance to cancer immunology

• Strength of interdisciplinary training plan

• Applicant’s potential for independent research leadership

• Quality of mentorship and institutional environment

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing descriptive rather than hypothesis-driven research

• Weak integration of computational and immunological approaches

• Insufficient justification of training needs

• Noncompliance with formatting or submission guidelines

• Choosing a sponsor without appropriate expertise or mentoring capacity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the duration of the fellowship?
The fellowship provides three years of support.

What is the annual stipend?
The stipend ranges from USD 74,000 to USD 78,000 over the three years.

Are indirect costs allowed?
No, administrative or indirect cost deductions are not permitted.

Is citizenship required?
No, there are no citizenship restrictions.

Where can the fellowship be held?
At nonprofit institutions within or outside the United States.

Is attendance at the CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp required?
CRI provides dedicated support for fellows to attend as part of the training experience.

Who qualifies as a sponsor?
A sponsor must hold a formal academic appointment and directly supervise the fellow’s research.

Conclusion

The CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is a premier opportunity for early-career scientists to gain interdisciplinary expertise in cancer immunology and data science. Through competitive funding, advanced training, and strong mentorship, the program empowers fellows to conduct innovative research that shapes the future of computational cancer immunology.